With such a strong start to this year's water supply it may be hard to imagine another dry year. But the latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests that January to March could look different.

"The most recent forecast looks like a neutral event," said David Unger, a meteorologist at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center."In a neutral El Niño year, anything can happen."

In a typical El Niño year, we might have expected to see the wet weather continue. But that's not what the models are showing. In fact, the exact opposite could happen: a wetter Pacific Northwest, and a drier-than-average Southwest. Northern California, lying right in the middle, could go either way.

Fortunately key reservoirs are already in good shape. Most have above-average levels for this time of year, and the Department of Water Resources has increased its water delivery estimates to 40 percent for the agencies that get their water from the State Water Project.